In
the spring of 2001 Scott Gibson’s
mini-album Live Sessions, 17th July 2000,
containing 8 slow songs was warmly welcomed. Expectations
were high
regarding the first fully-fledged album by this young Texan, who
decided in
favour of his own career as a singer-songwriter on the verge of the
21st
century. Playing bass with giants like Michael Fracasso and James
McMurtry had
paid the rent for nearly a decade then. It has taken two years for him
to release
Make Ready, but, admittedly, it has
certainly been worth the wait. Even more than that, having managed to
surpass
even my highest expectations. He is again accompanied by Rob Gjersoe
(Flatlanders, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Robbie Fulks) and Chris Cage
(Flatlanders
and JD Gilmore as well), and with producer Mac McNabb (Trish Murphy,
Michael
Fracasso) at the helm, Scott recorded 10 excellent, self-penned songs,
which
not only display an amazing diversity, but fully reveal his abilities
as a
songsmith at the same time. In that respect Scott Gibson has known
quite a
development.

As
soon as the uplifting opening track I
Believe leaves the speakers the ear is caught immediately. And
being distracted is out of the question with captivating and
instrumentally
tasteful songs like Make Ready, Hand It
Over and Kripula. For aficionados
of songs with a country edge there is Sunday
Social, whose catchy melody could well earn Scott quite a bit of
radio play
on less alternative radio stations, which in turn could be his big
break
towards a large audience. The young Texan, also blessed with the looks
of a
movie star, does deserve this. We do hope, however, that in case of a
breakthrough Scott does not lose his sharp observant eye on the world
around
him. For tracks like Ballad Of The
Balladeer, about a musician’s life in Texas,–
though not exactly commercially interesting– are invaluable to
me. Should this e-zine ever take up awarding albums worthy of
cherishing with
certificates of quality, then Scott Gibson’s Make Ready
is my personal favourite for such a certificate.